Brentford defender Andreas Bjelland has told the club's official website that he is hoping for a fresh start in English football following his return from an 11-month injury spell in the pre-season friendly defeat to Boreham Wood on Saturday.

The Danish international signed for the Bees from FC Twente in the summer of 2015 for a club record fee, only to pick up a serious knee ligament injury during his debut against Oxford United, keeping him out of the rest of the season.

The 27-year-old returned to training ahead of the summer break and was given a run out during the 2-1 defeat in Hertfordshire.

And having had some valuable game time under his belt, Bjelland is set to be a part of Brentford's trip to a training camp near Dusseldorf, and he says he is looking forward to making a good impression.

He told the club's official website: "The goal is to get some good training in over the Germany and a good game. I don’t know if I will play another 45 minutes but it is just important to get more minutes in my legs while still being careful with the knee."

While out on the sidelines, Brentford have seen Dean Smith replace Marinus Dijkhuizen in the Griffin Park hotseat, and the defender is keen to seize the opportunity for a new start and to impress the new manager.

“I don’t forget about last year and hopefully I got stronger from last year,” he added.

“Hopefully I developed some stuff I can do now. Of course it is a new start for me this year. There is a new coach who doesn’t know who I am and how I play. It is a new start and a new beginning which started today."

Tom Coleman

Leeds-based writer whose rebellious passion for football still disappoints his rugby-mad parents. Other appearances include Goal.com and Guardian Sport. Once pocket-called Dean Holdsworth on a night out. Specialises in the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A but has always had a soft spot for a German terrace. Aside from football, he's also a big fan of cricket, rugby league, Formula One, tennis and snooker.